|PIC1|The Diocese of Hereford has launched a new toolkit and DVD to show churches how they can be transformed for use by the wider community in the 21st century.

The toolkit was launched at the “Crossing The Threshold” conference, held by the diocese to help churches develop their buildings. The conference marked the start of a new national campaign under the same name.

The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, told the 200 delegates that the diocese was leading in the way in the development of church buildings and encouraged churches beyond the diocese to do the same.

“We are a rural diocese, but what we have done and continue to do, is possible for any church building urban or rural,” said Bishop Priddis. “What we have achieved is about vision and a belief that anything is possible, not about ruralness.”

The conference brought together the representatives of churches, local authorities, third sector organisations, solicitors and architects from across the country.

A booklet, "A community development approach to the use of church buildings", has been put together to accompany the DVD.

Speakers at the conference from the Church of England, English Heritage and the Department of Communities and Local Government, who commended the approach taken in Herefordshire by church, the local authority and local people working in partnership.

Delegates were given the opportunity to visit two of the churches featured in the DVD. At St Leonards in Yarpole, a shop and Post Office have been built into the back. The official opening is in January 2010.

In Peterchurch, a village in the middle of the very rural Golden Valley, offices, a kitchen and toilet are being put in to make the new headquarters of the area's children's services. A library is being built into the bell tower and will be accessed by a lift from the ground floor, the first time the local community has had its own library. Both churches are Grade I listed buildings.

“Eight years ago, the Diocese of Hereford took the bold step of appointing a Community, Partnership and Funding Officer,” said Bishop Priddis. “Every diocese should have a Wendy Coombey, who has overseen all these projects come to fruition. And there is more to come.”

The booklet is on the diocesan website and is downloadable at www.hereford.anglican.org alongside details of the conference.